Fall TV preview underway

Busy week for filming in and around Tompkins Square Park. Yesterday, crews for the CBS drama "Blue Bloods" were filming scenes on Avenue B and 10th Street (and probably elsewhere) ... this afternoon, the NBC series "Blindspot" is filming in Tompkins Square Park... (some kind of press conference where someone pulls a gun...) The trucks are lined on Avenue B from Seventh Street to 11th Street...




[Bonus "Blindspot" dummy shot...or Margarita March survivor]

And tomorrow, there are posted signs around Avenue A and Fifth Street and Sixth Street for HBO's "The Deuce," which has already used East Village streets for some filming...

RIP Stephen Konzen, aka the East Village Magic Man

Longtime East Village resident Uncle Waltie shares the following...

Sadly, we lost an East Village original. Stephen Konzen, affectionately called "East Village Magic Man," was not able to pull one more rabbit out of his hat. He succumbed to his illness on Aug. 11, 2016.

Magic Man spent his entire adult life on 9th Street near First Avenue. In addition to his magic, he loved to cook for people. Every holiday he provided tons of food to friends and strangers at The International Bar on First Avenue.

A great many of his friends saw him off on his final journey this past Friday at the crematorium, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Though he's gone now, he leaves behind many happy memories and will live on in our thoughts. Thanks for all your kindness and generosity, Magic Man. The world is a sadder place without you in it.

Here's a clip of Stephen in action from 2013 on "Deprogramming Hour," a cable access show...

Park View Office Suites available on Avenue A and 7th Street

[Photo from July 18]

Throughout the summer a crew had been working on the second floor at 130 E. Seventh St. ... in the space above Miss Lily's.

All that was finally cleared up a few weeks ago... and over the weekend, for lease signs arrived in the second-floor windows offering Park View Office Suites ...



..the sign says from $1,500 (a square foot? Well, we shouldn't joke.)



We haven't spotted a listing for the offices anywhere. The number goes to an answering machine.

The 7-floor building on the southwest corner has been through a luxury makeover in recent years. The new residential rentals were fetching $16,995 and $14,995. Longtime corner restaurant 7A closed in January 2014... and later replaced by Miss Lily's.

Public records show that the University of the Streets sold the building to Park Corner Development, LLC in September 2011 for $5 million.

After 46 years of music and arts programs here, the University of the Streets cleared out of the second floor in April 2015 and relocated to the Bronx.

Thanks to Steven for the photos

---

The address was home to L.W. Schwenk… and here's a photo dated July 24, 1914, titled "Depositors at failed bank."



Previously on EV Grieve:
Penthouse life above 7A will cost you $16,995 monthly

Fish Cheeks opening soon on Bond Street

Over on Bond Street between Lafayette and the Bowery (and next to Mile End)... the signage is up for a new restaurant called Fish Cheeks, billed as Thai seafood "straight to your soul" ...



The Times had a quickie item on the place back in June:

Fish Cheeks — High-end Thai seafood by the owners of the Obao restaurants will move into the former Le Philosophe space in a few months: 55 Bond Street (Bowery).

Le Philosophe closed back in January.

At the rally outside 112-120 E. 11th St.

As noted earlier, residents, local elected officials and preservationists were holding a rally early this afternoon outside 112-120 E. 11th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue...



Here's some of the coverage via am New York:

“It is totally hypocritical and inexplicable that the mayor would allow good housing to be demolished for a totally unnecessary hotel no one wants or needs,” said Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.

The betrayal is analogous to the deed-lifting scandal associated with nearby Rivington House, in which city officials allowed a nursing home to be turned into luxury condos, depriving the city of tens of millions of dollars and a much-needed facility, Berman said.

“This is another example of the mayor selling out this neighborhood and his principles,” Berman complained.

[State Sen. Brad Hoylman]

And some reporting from DNAinfo:

The protestors were joined by state Sen. Brad Hoylman, who is also demanding de Blasio himself take action to thwart the demolition, arguing the supposed failure by the LPC falls under his leadership.

“It’s his administration, and I am very disappointed at the LPC,” said Hoylman. “That is their mission. I think they have clearly failed, in this case, to respond to concerns of preservationists and offer an explanation as to why they are no longer protecting the buildings or even considering to protect them.”

Patch has coverage here.


[Photo by Grant Shaffer]

As we first reported on Aug. 8, the Lighthouse Group filed permits with the city to demolish five buildings — 112 to 120 E. 11th St. — that will yield to a 300-room hotel for Marriott's Moxy brand.

Thanks to Michael Paul Photography for the top four photos...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Protest reminder about 112-120 E. 11th St.; plus concerns over asbestos removal

6-building complex on East 10th Street and East 11th Street sells for $127 million

Report: 300-room hotel planned for East 11th Street

Preservationists say city ignored pitch to designate part of 11th Street as a historic district

Permits filed to demolish 5 buildings on 11th Street to make way for new hotel (58 comments)

Report: Resident known as the 'box man' found dead in 2nd Street apartment

Reports of a foul odor led police to discover the body of a resident inside his apartment at 89-91 E. Second St. at First Avenue, according to the Daily News.

The man, who was not identified, was in his 40s. Police found his body last night around 10. "Officials said it appears that the man died of natural causes," per the Daily News.

One source told the paper that "He was a total hoarder."

The man — known to neighbors as the “box man” — was often seen toting at least five boxes into his apartment each day, but witnesses said none ever came back out.

Updated 2:45 p.m.

DNAinfo reports that the resident was 57 years old. Also:

Neighbors described the man as polite but said he rarely interacted with anyone else in the building beyond the occasional “hello” and “goodbye.”

“He was very quiet,” said a neighbor named Melissa, who declined to give her last name. “I would always offer to help hold the door for him when he came in with his boxes.”

Police said the man’s body showed no signs of trauma, though the medical examiner has yet to determine a cause of death. The NYPD could not immediately confirm any details about the apartment's condition.

Protest reminder about 112-120 E. 11th St.; plus concerns over asbestos removal

[Photo of 120 E. 11th St. from yesterday]

As previously reported, the five residential buildings at 112-120 E. 11th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue are slated to be demolished to make way for a new hotel from the Marriott family.

Last week, workers began prepping No. 120 for asbestos removal... reps for the Greenwich Village Society For Historic Preservation (GVSHP), who have been monitoring the situation here, noted the poorly sealed windows late last week... (the windows were boarded up by the end of the day Saturday...)



The posted notice points to asbestos in the window caulking...



In addition, the GVSHP notes that the company landlord the Lightstone Group hired for the asbestos removal — the Queens-based New York Insulation Inc. — has a suspect past. The company is currently barred from bidding on public contracts. (The 11th Street work is not a public contract.)



In May 2012, the company pleaded guilty to failing to pay six employees more than $30,000 they were owed, according to published reports. The case involved rooftop work at Wheatley High School in Old Westbury, Long Island.

Per the Long Island Business News: "Along with the fines, New York Insulation and its principal, Anthony Cardinale, are prevented from bidding upon or being awarded any public work projects in the state of New York for five years."

New York Insulation Inc. appears on the New York State Department of Labor's "List of Employers Ineligible to Bid on or Be Awarded Any Public Work Contract." They are eligible again for public contracts starting in May 2020.

As a reminder, the GVSHP is holding a rally/protest outside 112-120 E. 11th St. In case you missed the invite notice from Friday:

Are you as angry as we are that the City is allowing five "landmark-eligible" 19th century buildings at 112-120 East 11th Street, which formerly contained long-term tenants and affordable housing, to be demolished to make way for a 300-room hotel geared towards globe-trotting millennials?

Are you as appalled as we are at the hypocrisy of the administration for refusing to save these buildings, which are being developed by a donor to and political appointee of the Mayor?

Are you disgusted by what this will mean for this block and this neighborhood?

Then join us on Monday, August 22 at 12:30 in front of 112-120 East 11th Street (3rd/4th Avenues) to protest the development and the City’s negligence and hypocrisy...

Updated 8:30 p.m.

Find rally coverage here

A letter to Peter M. Brant about the jackhammering

[Photo on Aug. 11 by Daniel Root]

Construction continues at 421 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, where Peter M. Brant is having Walter De Maria's former home-studio converted into a gallery space for his personal art collection.

There's construction on two fronts: From the rear of the building on Seventh Street (top photo) and Sixth Street...


[Photo from Aug. 4 by Meredith Rendall]

Given the scope of the work, there isn't any shortage of construction-related noise... which explains this suggested letter-writing campaign... as seen in this flyer on First Avenue and Sixth Street...


[Photo by Samir Randeria]

The letter to residents begins:

If you have been disturbed by the jackhammering that we have been subjected to all summer — you can contact the owner of the property at the following email address...

Then the flyer leaver posted the email that he/she sent:

Hello Mr. Brant,

It is exciting to think there will be a museum on our block. We hope that the community will have access to the museum on a regular basis in recognition of your knowledge that you are part of a community. It has been a very difficult summer, waking up each weekday morning to the sound of jackhammering. I'm sure this is not what you would enjoy. In the past, any notices that might have concerned residents where [sic] so small and inconsequential that it was not possible for anyone to be aware of them. I hope in the future you will make sure that there is real spirit of inclusion.

Thank you.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

Reader report: 421 E. 6th St. will house Peter M. Brant's personal art collection

Peter Brant's East 6th Street Outreach Tour 2015 continues

Peter Brant meets the neighbors

More rolled ice cream for St. Mark's Place

Renovations continue at a new retail space at 42 1/2 St. Mark's Place just east of Second Avenue... and the signage is up now for the new tenant — the buzzy 10Below Ice Cream ...



The quickly expanding 10Below Ice Cream has locations in Chinatown, the LES (Allen Street as of last month) and Flushing. They are branching out to Los Angeles too.

Here's more from the 10Below website:

10Below Ice Cream is New York’s first establishment serving Thai-inspired ice cream rolls. This concept was created on the streets of Thailand, serving fresh, made-to-order ice cream. Inspired by this ice cream art and by the way bartenders artfully craft cocktails made to order, 10Below blends the two approaches to create an experience for ice cream aficionados with an eclectic palette. We roll each individual ice cream order with the freshest ingredients right in front of your eyes, meaning no preservatives or stabilizers are added. It’s ice cream in its rawest form — fresh off the plate.

Here's a not-annoying-at-all feature on 10Below from the Post last August:

Ever since it opened in July, tucked between Chinese restaurants and spas at 10 Mott St., foodies from far and wide have been waiting up to three hours to get a taste of 10Below, which serves an American twist on Thai ice cream rolls.

Unlike placing a Cronut in a box, the trendy dessert takes about four minutes to create. But that’s part of the show: The ice cream makers call you over to their cold plate before they begin so you can get a front-row view — and an ideal spot to snag a pic with a smartphone.

Another rolled ice cream shop, Lab -321, opened at 27 St. Mark's Place in June.

Another healthy choice at the Death Star: Orangetheory Fitness coming soon

Signage went up Friday for Orangetheory Fitness, opening soon at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star.

There's a [temporary] sales office at 61 Fourth Ave., if you're interested in membership info.

Here's more about Orangetheory, which has locations nationwide... including three in Brooklyn and one in Chelsea:

Orangetheory Fitness uses the science of Heart-Rate Based Treadmill Interval Training, the efficiency of Indoor Rowing for increased power and the proven concept of Weight Training Blocks to create the fitness level and body you have always desired. Workout and Weight Loss plateaus are a thing of the past…really!

Orangetheory is located next door to Flywheel Sports, the cycling studio.

Sweetgreen opens today on Astor Place

[Photo from yesterday]

As we first noted back on June 30, a sweetgreen is coming to Astor Place... and today is the opening day, per a sweetgreen rep.

Here's more about the quick-serve restaurant that offers various custom salads and grain bowls, etc., from their website:

Founded in 2007, sweetgreen is a destination for delicious food that’’s both healthy for you and aligned with your values. We source local and organic ingredients from farmers we know and partners we trust, supporting our communities and creating meaningful relationships with those around us. We exist to create experiences where passion and purpose come together.

This marks the brand’s 11th location in the city, per the sweetgreen rep.

Sahara Citi has apparently closed on 13th Street

Brown paper on the windows and a disconnected phone number greet potential Sahara Citi patrons on East 13th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

A look inside reveals that workers have cleaned out the hookah/hummus restaurant, which opened in the spring of 2012.

Perhaps they are just renovating the space before the start of the school year, as it is conveniently located next to NYU's Palladium Hall.